Blogs I Follow

It’s unclear whether significant tax reforms will be enacted for 2012, so year-end planning could be tricky this year. Still, there are some tax strategies that should at least be examined for possible implementation before 2011 ends. Read the full article

For most Americans, the European Debt Crisis is anything but riveting. Sure, Wall Street has been bouncing up and down in response to news about the Euro bailout fund, but Greek sovereign debt is a pretty esoteric subject for almost everyone else. Yet the cover of this week’s Economist magazine advises, “be afraid.” What are they worried about?
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The November Journal of Marketing Research focuses on research into the ways that consumers make financial decisions. One of the papers describes a potentially useful tool for encouraging young people to save for retirement. Read the full article

The financial press is buzzing with rumors that the Federal Reserve will try to boost economic activity by revisiting actions it took in 1961. At the time, the move was known as “Operation Twist.” Read the full article

An important aspect of Roth and traditional IRAs is that they can be inherited, with potential benefits for the heir(s). However, there are some myths afloat about inherited IRAs that need to be sunk. Read the full article

Today’s earthquake centered near Mineral, Virginia caught New Englanders by surprise as its shock wave rumbled through the area. Although we tend to think of earthquakes as a west coast phenomenon, today’s tremor reminded easterners that we get them sometimes too. How much does a standard homeowner’s policy cover in the event of an earthquake? Read the full article

This week, a friend expressed concern to me about the safety of his bank. So today I'm addressing two questions: how can you find out whether your bank is in good financial shape, and just how strong is the FDIC's insurance fund? Read the full article

Boston Restaurant Week, now in its 11th year, starts next week. For two weeks, August 14-19 and 21-26, fine restaurants in the Greater Boston area will offer discounted fixed-price menus to draw customers in during a traditionally slow month. Over 200 restaurants will offer 2-course lunches for $15.11, 3-course lunches for $20.11 and 3-course dinners for $33.11. Boston holds Restaurant Week twice a year, in August and March. Read the full article

Today is the 150th anniversary of the US income tax. Originally established to fund the Civil War, the Federal income tax underwent various changes, with the basic system we have today being established in 1913. It seems appropriate, on this anniversary, to note that we can expect to see some significant changes in the structure of the income tax code later this year.
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The 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) extended higher limits for so-called conforming mortgages, which helped keep mortgage rates lower for home buyers living in high-priced areas of the US, including New England. Barring a change in current law, the conforming mortgage limit extension will run out for loans originated at the end of September.
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The continuing impasse between Democrats and Republicans on raising the US debt limit before August 2nd prompted a major ratings agency to place the nation’s AAA rating on credit watch this week, suggesting that the rating might be lowered even without an outright default. Read the full article

One of the key risks that retirees face is the possibility of outliving their incomes. In a report released earlier this month, the US Government Accountability Office concluded that although almost 75% of retirees start taking Social Security benefits before age 65, many workers would have a significantly better chance of a successful retirement if they worked longer and waited to start collecting Social Security. Read the full article

iShares chief investment strategist Russ Koesterich has written an engaging, insightful book explaining the magnitude of the problem that the United States national debt presents for investors. The full title of the book is The $10 Trillion Gamble: The Coming Deficit Debacle and How To Invest Now. Read the full article

Everyone understands, at some level, the need to save for long-term goals. Buying a house, preparing for retirement, or sending a child to college are goals that we know we have to save for. But how much difference does it make whether we start saving now versus saving later? Read the full article

Joseph Quinlan, chief market strategist for US Trust, has written an insightful book on the shifts taking place in the world economy. The book's subtitle captures its scope: The retreat of globalization, the end of American dominance, and what we can do about it. Read the full article

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